If you are trying to create a numbered or bulleted list, entering a "number(space)text" combination at the beginning of a line will automatically set you in numbered list mode.
You force that format in other instances by dragging the arrows in the ruler at the top of the editor. The upper arrow sets the indent for the first line of a paragraph and the lower sets it for all remaining lines of a paragraph. Entering a at any time starts a new paragraph so you want to let your text wrap at the end of the editor window instead of hitting . If your lines are so short that they won't all wrap, you'll need to set the upper arrow to the indent point of the lower arrow in the line(s) above. Don't use greater than or less than symbols to denote keys. The following line should replace the third paragraph of the preceding reply: Entering a "carriage return" at any time starts a new paragraph so you want to let your text wrap at the end of the editor window instead of hitting the "Enter" key.